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April 2001, Week 5

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From:
LLTI-Editor <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 30 Apr 2001 17:19:19 EDT
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--- Forwarded Message from "Samuels, Jeff" <[log in to unmask]> ---

>From: "Samuels, Jeff" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: "'LLTI-Editor'" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: RE: #6083.2 changes to the Language Lab
>Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2001 09:13:33 -0400

Dear LLTIers,

I concur with Kirk Anderson's sentiments below; and at the same time, I'm
tempted to play the devil's advocate.  Here at Goucher, each language
section handles its use of the lab component differently, and this sometimes
means that a change in textbook implies the institution or abolition of
required lab hours from one semester to the next.  Since most of our courses
currently do not have a required lab component, it means that our
instructors are able to schedule periodic or regular class meetings in the
lab itself.  This has changed the nature of our instruction and of our
interaction with students "in" class.  As a matter of fact, as I type this,
my students are taking their last chapter exam right here in the lab, part
of which requires them to use the computers.

Another positive aspect to freeing up the lab for class meetings is that our
Academic Dean, who was here recently for a brief demonstration of how we use
technology in language courses, was so intrigued that he asked me to write
up a proposal for summer technology grants for faculty. Grantees will be
able to use the lab to integrate technology into all manner of courses,
funded by the Dean and with a stipend to boot.  He's also paying for several
of us to take an online graduate course in Blackboard this summer, with the
proviso that we then use it with at least one of our courses this Fall or
Spring. (This will not create scheduling problems as we don't have summer
courses at Goucher.) So the lab will be used as a faculty development space
while courses are not in session.

In other words, if your students are no longer required to use the lab in
the traditional audiolingual modality, or "outside" of class to complete
pre-packaged workbook exercises and so forth, then perhaps this opens up
opportunities for the lab to become part of the faculty development and/or
classroom experience (rather than to be perceived as "outside" the
classroom, an artificial construct since learning is alleged to take place
beyond classroom walls -- don't laugh, I'm serious).  I should add that many
of us create web-based exercises that the students must do in the lab as
those integrate listening comprehension as well -- in my own case, these
tend to be "outside" of class unless the students have difficulty, in which
case we do them together "in" class (but it all takes place here in the
lab).

Given all this, I freely admit that we do have students coming in here when
classes are not meeting, for the sole purpose of surfing the net, checking
email, and online chatting.  We do have the lab designated as a priority
space for students doing language-based assignments, but we've never had to
kick anyone out so that a language student could work -- not even at the end
of the semester when the entire Thormann Center is packed.

Nonetheless, I am still concerned about the point that Kirk Anderson makes,
let alone that whole situation with David Maxwell and Drake University. If
one can say that there is a growing tendency to attack or diminish language
requirements, I fear it is especially daunting for those small, liberal arts
institutions like the one where I teach.

See you at IALL!

Best,
Jeff

Jeffrey D. Samuels
Instructor / Program Coordinator
Thormann International Technology and Media Center
Goucher College
Baltimore, MD 21204
[log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From: LLTI-Editor [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2001 8:27 AM
Subject: Re: #6083.2 changes to the Language Lab


--- Forwarded Message from Kirk Anderson <[log in to unmask]> ---

>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
>References: <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 10:53:08 -0400
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum
<[log in to unmask]>
>From: Kirk Anderson <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #6083 changes to the Language Lab

------------------
>
>Members of the University have a proposal forward to the
>administration requesting that the mandatory lab hour be
>abolished and that instead the lab becomes used as an
>individual study resource room instead.


I think this describes very accurately the fate of
many language labs in U.S. colleges and universities
during the past 20 years.  My opinion is that it
was a big mistake: it has eroded the importance
of language labs and consequently the effectiveness
of language programs.  However, those who work in
institutions whose students demonstrate an exceptional
level of motivation for language study would probably
offer a different perspective.

You may well see your language lab become a
place where students come to check their e-mail,
or don't come at all.

Kirk Anderson
Dept of French Studies
Wheaton College MA
USA

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